Guys, what do you like best about being a nurse?

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I'm a career changer, so just trying to get an idea of what male nurses like about their job....

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Supervisory, HEDIS, IT.

Has nothing to do with being a male nurse. I fit most of the cliches. I love helping people, getting to know them, realizing you are making a difference in someone's life.

Good luck

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Specializes in Emergency.

Work er, never know what's coming through the door, mostly routine but then in comes the truly sick/injured pt and that's what we signed up for.

I'm 2nd career as well. I don't miss the meetings, corporate drudgery, electronic tether and being a manager. Nursing is a lot more fun. If only it paid as well. 5 years in and i've reached 50% of my former base salary.

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The best thing about nursing is that over 90% of my co-workers are women.

The worst thing about nursing is that over 90% of my co-workers are women. ;)

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Great Question to ask! I also migrating into this career field from business and looking forward to helping people..

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

the schedule

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Things I like:

- full time = 3 12-hr shifts/week

- being an hourly employee... DT after 12 hours

- being covered by a collective-bargaining agreement... seniority means I keep my job as long as I'm doing it satisfactorily

- Having someone else bear the responsibility of making the final decisions

- Being able to leave my job at the door when I walk out

- Working with MDs, especially residents

- Getting to see all the crazy things that people do to themselves and to each other

Things I don't like:

- Secretions and excretions

- Hefting people 2-3 times my weight

- Whining, sniveling, etc

- An attitude by some nurses that I'm an inferior nurse because I have no special "calling" to be an RN... it's just a job to me

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The excellent potato salad in the break room. :geek:

----- Dave

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Specializes in ninja nursing.

Most of the above comments I agree with. I'm second career as well. Left a high paying IT career because I felt unfulfilled and really wanted to help people and the ability to get hired in practically every town in the country. Plus, it is nice to do my 12 hour shift and leave my work at the hospital. All the off days are a big plus and the ability to make my own schedule. I like to travel so it gives me a lot of flexibility.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
The best thing about nursing is that over 90% of my co-workers are women.

The worst thing about nursing is that over 90% of my co-workers are women. ;)

*** LOL! So true, well said.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I don't think the things I like about nursing are different than the things my female co-workers like. Well with one exception. I have NO TROUBLE getting vacation during hunting season. My friends who work with men are never able to get vacation during that time.

Seriously it is a great career. Not as great as it was a few years ago. Over the last 5-6 years there has been a serious decline in the the job. Were previously we could get a job anywhere, now we can't. Previously our pay and benifits made small but steady increases each year, lately they have been getting worse each year.

I don't regret my decision to become a nurse. However if I was making the same decision today I would not do it. If I was looking to change careers today I would choose law enforcement or fire fighting. A career where I could retire after 20 or 22 years with half pay. Most nurses have crappy retirement packages and can pretty much count on working until they are 65 or older.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Nothing at the moment...:(

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